May in Gunayala: "Yaug Nii", turtle moon month

During the season of May, sea turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay their eggs, and the Guna population there oversees their protection. 

Armila is a small Guna indigenous village located in eastern Guna Yala (San Blas Islands) close to the Colombian border. It is one of the few places where traditional Guna culture remains strongly preserved, and it's known for its pristine beaches, rich biodiversity, and close relationship with nature—particularly with sea turtles.

The village has become a key nesting site for leatherback sea turtles. These turtles are critically endangered, and during this season, Guna people make great efforts to protect and respect their nesting process.

Local villagers, often in collaboration with researchers and conservation volunteers, patrol the beaches at night during nesting season. They locate turtle nests, tag turtles, and record data.

Once a nest is found, it may be protected in place by camouflaging it or placing markers to prevent accidental trampling. In high-risk areas, eggs may be carefully relocated to hatcheries to improve survival chances.

Conservation is paired with educational efforts in the community and schools, as well as limited, respectful ecotourism that provides income and promotes environmental stewardship.

It is not only due to sustainability that the turtles are protected in this area, but also it is highly linked to their cosmovision. In the Guna worldview, the sea turtle is a sacred being and plays a symbolic and spiritual role. It is associated with Creation and Life, the turtle is linked to Mother Earth and seen as a symbol of fertility, endurance, and the cyclical nature of life. Some Guna myths describe the world as being created on the back of a giant turtle, echoing a theme found in various indigenous cosmologies. 

There is also a link to spiritual connection. Turtles are considered messengers or intermediaries between the human world and the spirit world. They embody wisdom and the balance between land and sea.

Turtles are also a symbol of protection and resilience. Their long lifespan and migratory journey are admired and seen as metaphors for wisdom, protection, and spiritual guidance.

Protecting turtles in Armila is not just about environmental conservation—it's an expression of cultural identity and spiritual responsibility. The turtle is not merely an animal but a living connection to the Guna people's origin stories, values, and relationship with nature.

Though turtles and their eggs can be  part of the diversified Guna diet, consumption is moderate as fishermen can seldom catch them at sea and eggs are available only during the hatching months.

You can find Mola designs dedicated to sea turtles and the respect for these species in Guna Yala. During this season, if you plan your San Blas islands sailing trip, it can also become a once in a lifetime experience to witness the magical nesting process of sea turtles if you are so lucky to anchor by an island where turtles are nesting.